Chain of Office

In 1967, the City of Guelph commissioned the making of a chain of office in recognition of Canada’s Centennial year. The chain of office was crafted by Thomas Fattorini Ltd. of Birmingham, England. The wearing of mayoral regalia is an English tradition which dates back to at least the 14th Century. The chain of office is worn by the Mayor at Council meetings and other formal functions.Guelph’s chain of office has 17 shields engraved with subjects of local significance. They are:

Tree stump to represent founding of Guelph by John Galt

Railroad to represent the City’s own railway

Book of learning

Hand shown outspread to represent the layout of the original town street pattern

Sheaf of wheat to represent local agriculture

Winged wheel to represent industry and transport

Horn of plenty to represent a prosperous community

Crown

Maple Leaf

Horse to represent the Horse of Hanover

Music

Church

Sprinter to represent sports

Crossed baseball bat and hockey stick to represent sports

Cattle

Field gun

Rock strata to represent limestone.

The chain of office is also engraved with the names of the seven Mayors who have worn it.

RALPH W. SMITH (1963-1967, 1970)

PAUL W. MERCER (1968-1969)

NORMAN JARY (1970-1985)

JOHN COUNSELL (1985-1994)

JOE YOUNG (1994-2000)

KATE QUARRIE (2003-2006)

KAREN FARBRIDGE (2000-2003, 2006-2014)

CAM GUTHRIE (2014 – present)

The entire Chain of Office

Tree stump to represent founding of Guelph by John Galt

Railroad to represent the City’s own railway

Book of learning

Hand shown outspread to represent the layout of the original town street pattern

Sheaf of wheat to represent local agriculture

Winged wheel to represent industry and transport

Horn of plenty to represent a prosperous community

Crown emblem

Maple leaf emblem

Horse to represent the Horse of Hanover

Music emblem

Church emblem

Sprinter to represent sports

Crossed baseball bat and hockey stick to represent sports

Cattle emblem

Field gun emblem

Rock strata to represent limestone.

Ralph W. Smith – Guelph Mayor (1963-1967, 1970)

Paul W. Mercer – Guelph Mayor (1968-1969)

Norman Jary – Guelph Mayor (1970-1985)

John Counsell – Guelph Mayor (1985-1994)

Joe Young – Guelph Mayor (1994-2000)

Kate Quarrie – Guelph Mayor (2003-2006)

Karen Farbridge – Guelph Mayor (2000-2003, 2006-2014)

Last Updated: December 1, 2014. Broken links or incorrect information? Let us know!